,
And went up on the roof to sleep.

"'But, in the night, which was with wind
And burning dust, again I creep
Down, having fever, for a drink.

"'Now, meanwhile, had my brethren found
The water-pitcher, where it stood
Behind the door upon the ground,
And called my mother: and they all,
As they were thirsty and the night
Most sultry, drained the pitcher there;
That they sat with it in my sight,
Their lips still wet, when I came down.

"'Now mark: I, being fevered, sick,
(Most unblessed also,) at that sight
Brake forth and cursed them. Dost thou hear?
One was my mother. Now, do right.'

"But my lord mused a space, and said,
'Send him away, sirs, and make on.
It is some madman,' the king said.
As the king said, so was it done.

"The morrow at the self-same hour,
In the king's path, behold, the man,
Not kneeling, sternly fixed. He stood
Right opposite, and thus began,

"Frowning grim down: 'Thou wicked king,
Most deaf where thou shouldst most give ear;
What? Must I howl in the next world,
Because thou wilt not listen here?

"'What, wilt thou pray and get thee grace,
And all grace shall to me be grudged?
Nay but, I swear, from this thy path
I will not stir till I be judged.'

"Then they who stood about the king
Drew close together and conferred;
Till that the king stood forth and said:
'Before the priests thou shalt be heard.'

"But, when the Ulema were met
And the thing heard, they doubted not;
But sentenced him, as the law is,
To die by stoning on the spot.

"Now the king charged us secretly:
'Stoned must he be: the law stands so:
Yet, if he seek to fly, give way;
Forbid him not, but let him go.'

"So saying, the king took a stone,
And cast it softly: but the man,
With a great joy upon his face,
Kneeled down, and cried not, neither ran.

"So they whose lot it was cast stones,
That they flew thick and bruised him sore:
But he praised Allah with loud voice,
And remained kneeling as before.

"My lord had covered up his face:
But, when one told him, 'He is dead;'
Turning him quickly to go in,
'Bring thou to me his corpse,' he said.

"And truly, while I speak, oh king,
I hear the bearers on the stair.
Wilt thou they straightway bring him in?--
Ho! enter ye who tarry there."--pp. 39-43.

The Vizier counsels the king tha